The Ruin of the Capital of Yueh

translated by Shigeyoshi Obata

Hither returned Kou Chien, the King of Yueh, in triumph;
He had destroyed the kingdom of Wu.
His loyal men came home in brilliance of brocade,
And the women of the court thronged the palace
Like flowers that fill the spring--
Now only a flock of partridges are flying in the twilight.